Hey everybody! Hope the New Year is goin' well and you're watching lots of movies! Seen any good movies lately?
So far, a few of my personal favorites were past #1 Box Office Hits... Peter Jackson's King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth's Hostel.
You may respond with an "Eeeewwww. Hostel? I heard that movie was totally gross!" Or you may say "Oh yeah maaaan! That movie was craaaazy sick! I totally dug it!" But please keep in mind that I am also a huge horror and action movie fan. And that it is a "personal" favorite.
Unless you are a big horror film fan and read magazines like Fangoria, then you will probably NOT enjoy Hostel. This movie is not your Obake ghost story type of scary movie like The Ring or The Grudge. I would only recommend Hostel if you enjoy films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre series or dig the wild Japanese films of Takeshi Miike. FYI - Miike is the crazy/cool director of the cult hit films like Audition, Gozu and the Dead or Alive trilogy (and I'm a HUGE fan of his movies!)
Of course, I would also HIGHLY recommend seeing all the wonderful "Award Winning" films too, such as Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain and Steven Spielberg's Munich and the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line, etc. But wouldn't it be common sense to recommend seeing those critically acclaimed, award winning movies anyhow?
Sooooo... this column will feature "alternative" recommendations and information for all you normal movie fans out there. It will sort of be a "Geek News for Dummies."
YIKES! Don't worry, I'm NOT calling anyone a "Dummy!" Far from it. But what I am trying to say, is that I will be sharing information on the "common" things that most Geeks already know of and talk about.
I'm pretty sure you know of someone who just loves Star Wars, Smallville or Lost right? Someone who loves action, martial arts and scary movies? Or someone who loves Darth Vader, plays video games, loves surfing the net and has action figures on their desk? Sound like someone you might know?
I'm here to help out and give you (the normal person out there) just an easy overview of things already known in the Fanboy (a.k.a. Geek) Universe. FYI - The term Fanboy or Fangirl is basically just a cooler way of saying Geek.
For example, with my "Fanboy" friends I would enthusiastically ask, "Hey! Did you see the new Gamera: Little Braves trailer?"
We would probably then start a discussion of Gamera.
What was your favorite Kaiju movie? Which series was the best? Showa, Heisei or Millennium?
We might debate Shusuke Kaneko's GMK vs Ryuhei Kitamura's Final Wars.
Then the discussion will probably delve deeply into topics in popular culture, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, comic books, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, video games, anime, manga, new action figures, Adult Swim, Asian Cinema, etc. In other words...lots of fun and cool pop culture stuff. Fanboy/Fangirl stuff.
The majority of people would just say, "Huh? See what? Who or what the heck is a Gamera? Gams? Legs? An era of gams? A gam-era?"
In this column, I hope to simply explain things and "in plain English." No geek speak.
For example...
Who is Gamera?
- He is like Godzilla.
- He is a legendary and very popular Japanese movie monster created in 1960s.
- Both movie characters, Gamera and Godzilla, made movies in Japan.
- Both were popular for decades... and both are still popular in Japan today!
- He is a giant, monster... TURTLE!
Godzilla (left) is a giant, fire breathing, radioactive LIZARD. Gamera (right)
is a giant, fire breathing, radioactive TURTLE. (Source:
Kyoto.zaq.ne.jp)
Gamera and Ayako Fujitani (Source: Kensforce.com)
I would recommend seeing the New Gamera trilogy directed by Shusuke Kaneko, starring Ayako Fujitani (pictured above), who is the teenage daughter of martial arts action star...Steven Seagal! And save the classic, yet cheesy versions made in the 1960s and 70s for later viewing.
Click here to see a trailer of Gamera's newest movie.
For more information, read reviews or order the new Gamera DVDs, visit... Amazon.com: Gamera: DVD: Gamera.
See? Fun and easy yeah?
So when the subject of the new King Kong movie pops up... you can yell out, "Hey! Have you ever heard of Gamera the giant, fire breathing, radioactive, flying turtle? It's kinda like the Godzilla movies... but with a giant monster turtle! Not a gorilla...not a lizard... but a TURTLE!"
And they'll say, "Wow! No Way?! A TURTLE?! That's the most amazing thing I've ever heard of! I'm calling all my friends right now!"
Or maybe you could go even further... Approach a person from Japan. Ask them very slowly and seriously in your lowest voice, "Doooo yoooou knoooow Gaaaamaaara?"
They'll probably look at you with fear and nervously say, "Gamera?"
Nod.
"Hai."
Then they'll run away and leave you standing there alone with your head to the ground. You also might hear a giant GONG ringing in the background. But hey! You would have found out that Gamera IS a popular cultural icon in Japan!
"Doooo yoouuu knooow Gaamaaraaa?"
OK, but enough on Gamera the giant flying turtle and onto The Fanboy List.
As a fan of movies AND comic books... here's a list of Comic Book Movies coming soon to a multiplex theater near you!
Superman Returns
When will it be out?
This Summer - JUNE 30, 2006
Superman Returns
(Source: Movies.yahoo.com)
Who is the Director?
Bryan Singer - he did The Usual Suspects and The X-Men movies. But he's NOT doing this summer's new X-Men 3 movie. Why not you may ask? Well, he is pretty busy making the much more highly anticipated Superman Returns. FYI - Hawaii's own Chris Lee is Executive Producing Superman!
Who is playing the new Superman?
Newcomer Brandon Routh.
Who is playing pretty reporter Lois Lane?
Kate Bosworth, the main surfer girl from Blue Crush. She also played Sandra Dee in the Bobby Darin biopic Beyond the Sea.
Who is playing the villainous Lex Luthor?
Kevin Spacey - he played the psycho from Seven and the day dreaming father in American Beauty.
To refresh or for those unfamiliar with Superman...
- Superman was born on the planet Krypton.
- He was named Kal-El.
- Before Krypton blew up, baby KAL-EL was sent on a rocketship to the planet Earth.
- BOOM! Krypton blows up.
- Baby Kal-El lands on Earth.
And to learn what follows...Watch the FIRST Superman movie on DVD. It's a comic book movie classic! And if you have the time, watch the first season of Smallville on DVD. It's a television series showing how young Clark Kent, a.k.a. Kal-El, discovers his "super" powers and responsibilities.
For more info on the new movie and to see pictures of the new Superman, visit... Superman Returns. I would also highly recommend viewing the director's Video Journals. It's a fun and informative way to see how they are making the movie. Simply amazing to see the process behind the making of a very big summer movie. Plus it's a wonderful opportunity to get an insider's sneak peek at the exciting things to coming our way!
Fun Trivia: In 1997, director Tim Burton (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands) cast Nicolas Cage to be the new Superman entitled Superman Lives. With a name like that, it's kind of ironic that the project died yeah?
Speaking of Nicolas Cage...
Mr. Cage, a die hard Superman fan, named his recently newborn son "Kal-El."
Who is Kal-El?
Pop Quiz: What was Superman's given birth name? Hope you were paying attention above!
X-Men 3
When will it be out?
This Summer - May 26, 2006
X-Men 3 (Source: Movies.yahoo.com)
Who is the Director?
Brett Ratner - he last directed Pierce Bronsnan and Salma Hayek in the action comedy After the Sunset. He also did the hit Rush Hour movies (and his recently announced Rush Hour 3) with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
Who is in it?
Hugh Jackman returns as the adamantium steel clawed hero Wolverine. Halle Berry returns as the weather controlling heroine Storm. Rebecca Romijn returns as the sexy, blue skinned villain Mystique. Kelsey Grammer from television's Frasier makes his debut as the cheerful, highly intellectual, big, furry and blue character named Beast. He's a very popular member of the X-Men that fans have been begging to see on the big screen!
What is it about?
Good mutants with special powers vs. bad mutants with special powers. Because of lifelong prejudices towards mutants, the bad mutants band together to take over the world. The X-Men (good mutants) fight to protect humanity.
Fun Trivia: It has been heard that X-3 is to be the final X-Men movie and the subtitle The Last Stand may be added. However, star Hugh Jackman is still keen to do a Wolverine "Spin Off" movie. Wolverine in his own movie? COOOOOL eh?
Fanboys are also quite concerned that the original X-Men director Bryan Singer was replaced by Brett Ratner, the director of action comedies like Rush Hour and Money Talks. Can a director of comedies do serious action? Personally, I love his Rush Hour movies and have faith in his work because he did a wonderful job directing the thrilling Silence of the Lambs prequel Red Dragon starring Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector. Plus the new X-3 trailer looks GREAT!
To see pictures of the live action versions of the popular comic book characters, a trailer and more of who will be returning, check out... X3movie.com.
V FOR VENDETTA
When will it be out?
March 17, 2007
V for Vendetta movie poster
(Source: Movies.yahoo.com)
Who is the Director?
James McTeigue - this is his directorial debut. But he was First Assistant Director for the Matrix Trilogy!
Who is in it?
Natalie Portman from The Star Wars prequel movies. She started her acting career by playing Matilda. The little, flowerpot carrying partner to Jean Reno's lovable hitman in The Professional or better known internationally as Leon. Hugo Weaving, the sloooow talking bad guy/agent from The Matrix movies, plays the masked Zorro-like hero named, "V."
What is it about?
"V" (Hugo Weaving) and Evey (Natalie Portman) fight for freedom against an oppressive government.
Why is this a Fanboy Movie?
It's written and produced by The Wachowski Brothers, creators of the ultra cool Matrix movies. V for Vendetta is based on the highly acclaimed graphic novel of the same name.
V for Vendetta graphic novel cover
(Source: DCcomics.com)
What is a Graphic Novel?
It's basically a big comic book for older or adult readers. Not your average kid stuff. It's a novel with graphics! Hence the name Graphic Novel. Oooooh...aaaaaah. Discover something popular and new... Read a graphic novel when you have the time. Then you can say that you read the book before the movie came out! The problem is, like with all novels that are turned into movies... the book is usually better right?
To see pictures and trailers visit... V for Vendetta.
And lastly, here are some little tidbits on other comic books being made into live action projects....
28-year-old newcomer Will Toale will star as DC Comic's popular superhero Aquaman! Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the creators of Smallville, are creating this new television series for the WB Network! Aquaman is a hero that can communicate to sea creatures and has super strength in the water.
Click AquamanTV: Aquaman On Television for more info and pics!
Enjoy the vampire hunting, action and martial arts packed BLADE movies? Well, a Wesley Snipes-less television version of Blade is coming this summer! David Goyer, the writer of all three BLADE movies and Batman Begins, and the incredibly popular comic book writer, Geoff Johns, are creating this new television series for Spike TV. Mr. Johns was named Man AND Writer of the Year by Wizard Magazine. Wizard Magazine is like the Wall Street Journal for comic book readers. So to be named Wizard's Man of the Year is quite an achievement in the comic book world! It's also a great indication that his new Blade series will Rock!
Click Blade on Spike TV for more info and pics!
Anyhoo, I better start wrapping up. Since this is really just the tip of the iceberg in the fun and exciting World of Fanboys. So I've saved even more cool comic books being made into movies for next time!
You know Wonder Woman? Well, a big summer movie version is being made and...
I really do hope that this column has been fun and informative for all you normal movie loving people out there! Now when you hear something about these movies, you'll be able to say to yourself..."Hey! Cool! I already knew that!"
So until next time...
ENJOY LIFE! WATCH A MOVIE!
PS. Your feedback and comments will be greatly appreciated! What are some of YOUR favorite movies?
